Syndicate

Aug. 2nd, 2017

action 🌸 open

[Despite your best efforts, despite your attempts to find a solution - the world around you is crumbling. There's no reason why it should be, no clear way to stop it. All you know is that the world around you is dark and crumbly, broken things and unspoken things. Is this the end?

Maybe. Miracle Country, though, is throwing a party - the ballroom is decorated all over. There's an abundance of snacks and drinks, beautiful music playing, twinkling lights on the railings and columns, the balcony overlooking a fully blooming garden.

Later in the night, there'll be a massive display of fireworks - bursting in all sorts of bright colors and shapes. It's utter extravagance. You're even dressed for the occasion - Miracle Country's pulled out all the stops, dressing you in beautiful, decadent clothing.

In so many ways, it seems like an ending. But there's something else in the air - that willingness to go along with it, to enjoy yourself, to let yourself be at this party (where else would you go?). Everything around you is pointing towards nostalgia - that smell of the flowers in the garden reminding you of your childhood, the distant sound of the ocean reminding you of home, your journal flashing its light insistently at you as if to prompt you to write one last thing between its pages.

Jul. 26th, 2017

004 ☯ video/action

[The last few days, it's been obvious that Something Is Up with Miracle Country. Everything has seemed a whole lot greyer, less bright. Things that are normally in good shape seem a little broken down - some paths seem craggier than usual, some bridges more rickety. The boarded up shops are more prevalent than before.

Despite the fact that it's summer, everything in general seems kind of gloomy - darker and less inviting.]

[Muttering to herself,] I should make a list or something...

[It's around this time that she's picking up her journal to make a short recording. She hasn't really thought through what she's going to say but whatever, she can wing it:]

Alright, I've been looking into this, and... I don't know how long these things are going to last but some of this is seriously unsafe. [Sigh, not for the first time, she can't figure out the source beyond "It's magic!"]

You should avoid going over the bridges too much if you can help it. [But, er,] The trains might not be the best bet either, though.

I'm not sure what else is messed up but if you've seen anything, let me know. I've been trying to do some fixes with my bending, but by the next day it's back to the same.

[And it's true - all around Miracle Country, things seem to be breaking or crumbling, without much reason for it. Is it a preamble to something? Likely... but what?

In the meantime, Korra will be around the island, making notes of things that are broken, putting up warnings where she can. Come hang out with her and/or help her out? Maybe you have your own first-hand experience with things falling apart around here, things seeming to fade or disappear, or just that general feeling of unease...]

[[~*~mysterious~*~ shit going down. Korra's thread can be found here but otherwise feel free to use this as a mingle as you'd like.]]

Jul. 11th, 2017

action 🌸 open

mood: devious

[Miracle Country is looking a little different these days. Shops are becoming more and more difficult to find open, a few of the bridges connecting other islands seem a little unstable, and several buildings (even some of the unused housing domes) look like they're a lot older all of a sudden, with the paint coming off their walls, the usual lighting not working at times, and so on.

But there's not (much) need to worry, the usual magic holding the place together seems to be working fine. Or so it will seem, especially as today a festival takes place to celebrate the night of Tanabata. Small booths with typical festival food and games will show up along the river's banks during the evening, lanterns hanging from the trees and around the park's pavillion lighting the whole place up. The trees will also hold paper strips to write wishes on, as is traditional.

To encourage people going out and enjoying the festivities, everyone will get traditional yukatas or kimonos for the night. Although the extra bright stars that'll become more and more noticeable during the night will probably be enough to get people outside for a while.

One might even expect fireworks at some point, or maybe some sort of strange magical influence (those lanterns must look suspicious enough by now, right?), but the night will be calm and nice, perfect for a stroll, to relax, write your own wishes, spend some quality time with your friends or loved ones. ... Although perhaps it's too calm. Even the by-now-usual trees seem to be under control, their energy barely influencing the surroundings.

Is the world holding back, all of a sudden? Perhaps. But surely with the nice atmosphere, nice food and clothes to enjoy, it isn't worth worrying about it, right?]

Jul. 4th, 2017

Action || Open

[The last couple of days have been the typical summer days. Perfect for relaxing at the beach, playing in the water and enjoy the arrival of the warm season. Today starts just the same: sunny, not a single cloud in the sky and just as warm. But with so many hot days in a row, it’s really no surprise that soon dark clouds appear closer and closer. The first thunders can be heard during the morning far enough to know there's some time left before the rain starts. It should give everyone who decided to spent another day outside enough time to avoid getting caught outside.

Although it turns out to be a lot more than just a couple of droplets to start off with. After a particularly loud thunder it begins to pour down. The wind picks up as well, making it the kind of rain that would definitely leave one soaking wet after a minute of being outside, even if one was clever enough to take an umbrella when they saw there was a storm approaching.

So hopefully everyone paid attention to the imminent rain and avoided being outside when it began. Either way, it’s definitely the kind of day to avoid going outside. Having fun at the beach is going to have to wait. There are plenty of things to do besides staying locked up inside the house, like exploring the tunnels connecting the domes or watching a movie in one of the lounging rooms. Maybe share a drink at the cafeteria or play a game, a nice way to ignore the big thundery storm that’s raging outside.]

[[Because it can't be summer without some summer storms. Use the log as you'd like!]]

Jun. 21st, 2017

action 🌸 open

mood: bouncy

[Summer is finally here. Clear skies, warm weather, the perfect time to enjoy the beach and go into the water. Since today is the very first day of summer, too, you'll find yourself put into the season-appropriate summer clothes - bathing suits, sundresses, sunhats, etc. It's like this place wants you to relax! You know... after you're done not relaxing.

Because today, as if to encourage going into the water, a few of our residents will find themselves already out in the middle of the sea: sitting on an inflatable chair, holding precariously onto a log or a pool toy, whichever way it goes it'll surely be a troublesome way to wake up. Even moreso when they realize that returning to the shore is impossible by themselves. If they jump into the sea and try to swim back, they won't be able to move very far, and should they get particularly insistent or try to use magic or other skills to return, an Usyagi will show up to inform them they're to stay there until someone comes to their aid. Usyagi will show up to inform them they're to stay there until someone comes to their aid. That is, if they don't realize what's going on before the Usyagi get a chance to do it, via journal messages from those still on the islands.

For those who did stay behind, there'll also be a note being dropped, explaining they are to go rescue the ones lost in the sea. The usual boats from the river are available to use, should someone need them, but otherwise people can reach the others by any means they'd like. The trapped people will be able to get back once someone from the shore reaches close to them, which will break the barrier holding them there. This means anyone can search for and rescue anyone else, of course. Even team up and do a more organized rescue party!

Some cooperation might be needed, too, given that the sea isn't a peaceful place anymore. Water dragons, animals like sharks and various monsters and creatures of all sorts lurk in there these days, and there's nothing protecting those trapped there. The creatures underwater seem even more uneasy today, as well, perhaps bothered by the unfamiliar presences around them. Or annoyed because of the sudden heat. Wouldn't anyone be?

At least once the danger and searching is over, the beach will be a good place to relax at. The ice-cream and drinks bar will be offering things free of charge just for today, to make up for the inconveniences caused. The Usyagi won't even complain if you come back dripping blood all over the place! Aren't they nice?]

Jun. 15th, 2017

Farm mingle

[Those who volunteered their interest some time ago have likely already worked a number of shifts at the community farm – a merge between Charming's old farm and newly-planted crops. By now you should know your tasks and when you're expected to be finished with them – if not, Sebastian will remind you.

Or maybe Yukine will! These last few weeks it's been Yukine who's drawn up the communal schedule for the week, distributed the work tasks to the volunteers, and followed up on their progress – with some background support from Sebastian, that is. Almost cute, isn't it, the two of them suddenly doing projects together.

There are plenty of tasks to choose from! When you let an overambitious workaholic plan your farm, you end up with three dozen different plants. Carrots, potatoes, legumes, various berries, tomatoes… you get the idea.

Maybe your task of the day is harvesting the earliest berries? Re-planting sprouting seeds properly into the ground or into larger pots? Watering the plants? Weeding? Maybe you're strong enough to haul several sacks of soil at once. There is a substantially sized herb garden – perhaps you're more suited to the delicate work of tending to those seeds?

Basically, invent your own task. Or eat the harvest prematurely (don't do this: Sebastian will implode). Or get distracted during your shift. Or come ask to be part of the fun.

Making out with your various significant others doesn't qualify as an acceptable reason for not finishing your work on time, by the way.]

Jun. 7th, 2017

action 🌸 open

mood: aggravated

[Today is a bright, nice, quiet day in Miracle Country... Well, maybe not entirely quiet. The residents won't take long to notice the endless meowing that can be heard outside. With a mission waiting to be fulfilled, Kiseki felt generous and decided to give a helping hand. Or several paws, in this case, as the stray cats that usually roam the islands seem to have multiplied for the day, and they can be found all over the place. Of course, there are many of them at the park, but a particularly large number of them is gathering near the large sakura tree, where two people can be found.

Seeing Sebastian caring for the stray cats is a given by now, what's unusual is that Lucifer is right there with him, trying to help. "Trying" being the key, seeing how he looks entirely disgusted by the cats walking up to him. And there are many of them doing this, as the world's magic has made his usual charm work on the cats.

Now, you'd think this is beneficial for the situation. Afterall, it's much easier to take care of several cats when they're all happily flocking towards you, right? But his attempts to get anything done keep being interrupted by his own disgust at the cats' sudden affection and interest. So rather than a doing a successful, easy job, he's backed up against the tree, trying to shove the cats away from him.

Surely he'll manage to get this done at some point. At least the cats will hang around the whole day. A good time to take advantage of it and play with them, or choose one to keep! Everyone wins. Possibly.]

Jun. 1st, 2017

action 🌸 open

mood: silly

[For some people, a good walk or day spent practicing their various skills is enough to feel energized after the time spent stuck inside. For others, their particular set of skills need a bit more flair to truly feel like they're being put to test. Or maybe it's just fun to do it this way. In any case, as counter-productive as it might feel to fight magic with magic, tonight some of the local magicians are taking the chance to practice in their own style.

At first it might not seem that this is the case; the pavillion in the main park, the sakura tree, and most of the surrounding areas are decorated with what looks like simply things for a party of sorts. There're colorful lights and lanterns set up all over, some snacks, plenty of drinks brought over from the bar, even its piano that's been moved nearby for the occasion.

But if you get close and try to join the celebrations, you might feel something's off about it. It isn't just the loud music that seems to be playing out of nowhere (the aforementioned piano aside), it's that the color-changing lights seem to glow with a warmth that's infectious, so staying nearby makes you feel happier, more relaxed the longer you stay there, like the whole place is inviting you to let loose and have fun.

... Or to act like an idiot, there's that too. But that might be the fault of the many drinks available, should you choose to grab some of them, right? Except perhaps even those who aren't anywhere near this party will feel like acting out in some way. Louder, dumber, sillier, bolder... At least they won't be the only ones behaving like this.]

[[What it says, + the small inhibitions loss event replay! Use the log as you'd like.]]

May. 27th, 2017

action 🌸 open

[Tired of being locked up, of feeling sick, or helpless? It’s been a long few days – maybe you’re still feeling sick, maybe you’re still feeling cold, maybe you’re just starting to feel helpless. Will this snow ever end? Well, don't despair for much longer! Because it’s nearly at an end.

Today the skies clear out, the sun shining brighter than before. The islands are slowly returning to normal and the snow? The snow’s melting – fueled on by the sun’s rays, yes, but also by magic – that same magic that brought this snow in the first place.

It's still rather cold for the time of the year, of course, that lingering chill in the air despite the sun. It’s almost like a day in autumn, where you can see your breath and need a coat to keep warm. Be careful, too, since there'll still be some snow remaining here and there for a few more days – be sure you don’t slip on the slush. But for now, at least, people can go outside without much trouble. A good time to stretch your legs, to check on your usual workplaces, to refill supplies, and so on. It’s been a few days of being cooped up – you must be eager for that fresh air!

To make things more pleasant given the lingering cold weather, there'll be colorful carts ran by the usyagi found all over the different islands, giving out tea, coffee and hot cocoa to anyone who'd like some. It’s the least they can do, right?]

May. 22nd, 2017

action 🌸 open

mood: productive

[Dealing with the on-and-off blizzard for these past days must've been difficult, even with the times when the weather cleared out for a while and navigating the islands became possible... Hopefully you took advantage of those moments, because rather than things getting easier, it's about to get a lot worse.

It isn't only that there's been an avalanche of sorts overnight - how, given the lack of mountains around, is a mystery, but what else would you call the sudden heaps of snow currently piled up all over the housing area, drowning the individual domes so that they're barely even visible anymore?

It isn't just the fact that the power, or magic keeping things working, has been going out for hours on end, leaving the underground areas pitch-black - much more so given that the sun seems to refuse to come out, making the overall atmosphere one of dull grays at best, complete darkness at worse.

Or even that the creatures which could be found outside seem even more restless, making venturing outside for those who manage a way out of the tunnels (or who are unfortunate enough to arrive in the middle of this) even more dangerous.

No, it will surely feel like something's actively working against the people currently in the world, when several of them suddenly fall ill. With the sudden cold and bad conditions, one might be expecting possible colds and such things, but surely getting so ill so quickly isn't normal. Nor is it to be unresponsive to medication, for those who are unlucky enough to end up that way. Hopefully those left standing and able to work will be enough to handle things until it all ends...]